Former Oswego Speedway Driver John Torrese Sr. Passes

Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame Driver John Torrese Sr. Passes at Age 93

OSWEGO, NY (March 2, 2017) – John Torrese Sr., Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame driver and the patriarch of Oswego Speedway ownership since 2011, passed away March 1, 2017 at the age of 93.

Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame driver John Torrese Sr. passed away March 1, 2017 at the age of 93. (Speedway Press)

Always seen with a welcoming smile at Oswego Speedway, “Pops” was a regular fixture at the Oswego Speedway in recent years – whether surveying the pit area on the “Steel Palace” golf cart with sons John Torrese Jr. and Eric Torrese, or watching the action from his familiar seat in the Speedway’s VIP tower with family and friends – Torrese always had an eye on the action at the Port City oval.

In a relatively short Oswego driving career, Torrese was a force to be reckoned with, collecting four main event wins with two top five finishes in Speedway points in 1952 and 1953.

Always a versatile driver, Torrese was one of a select few to have won at Oswego Speedway on both the dirt and asphalt surfaces in the early 1950’s.

During the 50^th anniversary Oswego Speedway celebration in 2000, Torrese recognized for his accomplishments and named one of the track’s Top 50 drivers of all-time.

A 2011 inductee into Oswego Speedway’s Hall of Fame, Torrese passed his love of Oswego Speedway to his children, in particular son John Jr. who himself would become a veteran of supermodified action at the “Steel Palace.”

That love and passion for Oswego Speedway reached a pinnacle in 2011 as the Torrese family became the third era in ownership of the famed Oswego oval and has since returned the historic speed plant to a marquee name in motorsports across the country.

Arrangements are not set at this time but will be updated on Oswego Speedway’s website and social media accounts as they become available.